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Rahm Emanuel hits pension funds going to guns

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Saturday called on his fellow mayors to follow the Windy City’s example and direct their cities’ pension funds to begin divesting from the assault weapons industry.

“Clearly, when it comes to assault weapons measures, if we can do it as it relates to Iran, and their policy, if we can do it as it relates to apartheid, clearly we can do it as it relates to this issue,” Emanuel said, speaking during a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington.

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Earlier this week, Emanuel said he would direct Chicago city pension funds to investigate their investments and to divest from the assault weapons industry.

“It’s going good in Chicago and other cities are joining us,” Emanuel told POLITICO of the divestment initiative.

In his speech, he cited Philadelphia and Los Angeles as other cities also pushing similar measures.

“The City of Chicago Teachers Fund actually had an investment,” Emanuel said. “They are now taking proactive steps to divest. Now, I’m gonna do what I need to do, we’re all as individuals gonna do what we need to do. Collectively, we are stronger when we all act together. They need to hear a clear and unambiguous voice.”